It's very much psychological.

Think about it - you may go 3 or 4 hours at work, sitting at your desk without needing to get up to use the restroom. But a 2-3 hour car trip can mean several bathroom stops.

In both instances you're doing the same thing... sitting for long periods of time, but one situation puts the restroom close by and the other triggers your brain 'oh, rest stop head! i need to go!'

There’s definitely a psychological component. It happens for poop and pee. Every time I ride an elevator or brush my teeth I have to pee. I mentioned it to my physical therapist and we figured out the why’s of it, and the only way to change it is to stop giving in to it. It’s a lot of work, and usually involves training your body to be on a schedule. I’d rather just deal with my quirks than try to recalibrate my whole system.

In other words, your dd might be quirky, but it’s not really abnormal or unusual.

This happens to me at Target. I know the location of all the NOVA target bathrooms. It only takes about 10 minutes (and enough time to fill up a cart) to have to go.

THis is hilarious to me, mostly because the exact same thing happens to me every single time I go to IKEA. I don’t know if it’s the smell or the lighting or what, but luckily IKEA’s restrooms are usually clean and pretty empty.

Anonymous wrote:Do you have an old toilet at home? One of the ones with a small round seat? If that's the case, then I'd guess it's easier for her to go when in a better physical position for bowel release. The restaurants might have comfort height toilets with elongated seats.

I say this as someone who is quite tall and has a terrible time moving bowels when visiting relatives with small, short toilets. It seems silly, but it's the truth. Try getting a squatty potty for home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's a psychological aspect to when we need to go. We each have situational triggers that can indicate that this is the time and place in addition to whatever digestive process that is going on. For me, that's in the morning at home after breakfast. For my sister, a gas station bathroom has that effect. Apparently getting a plate of food in a restaurant is your daughter's got to go signal. I don't know if it can be unlearned.

I can only go in my own home. I’d rather have Ops daughters problem.

same.

Do you have an old toilet at home? One of the ones with a small round seat? If that's the case, then I'd guess it's easier for her to go when in a better physical position for bowel release. The restaurants might have comfort height toilets with elongated seats.

Anonymous wrote:There's a psychological aspect to when we need to go. We each have situational triggers that can indicate that this is the time and place in addition to whatever digestive process that is going on. For me, that's in the morning at home after breakfast. For my sister, a gas station bathroom has that effect. Apparently getting a plate of food in a restaurant is your daughter's got to go signal. I don't know if it can be unlearned.

I can only go in my own home. I’d rather have Ops daughters problem.

Does she eat appetizers? maybe the food is way greasier/richer than you cook at home.

There's a psychological aspect to when we need to go. We each have situational triggers that can indicate that this is the time and place in addition to whatever digestive process that is going on. For me, that's in the morning at home after breakfast. For my sister, a gas station bathroom has that effect. Apparently getting a plate of food in a restaurant is your daughter's got to go signal. I don't know if it can be unlearned.

Whatever. If she wants to eat her food cold, let her. If it's not bothering her, why do you care? It's not like you have to go to the bathroom with her at this age. Teach her to say "Please, eat while your food is hot." or something like that, as she gets up. Don't give it another thought.

Anonymous wrote:Getting popcorn and a glass of wine for this one....

Maybe dissolve a little Miralax in that wine.

Maybe have her order an appetizer and eat that quickly. Her main won't be as cold when she get back.

Getting popcorn and a glass of wine for this one....

This may be a bit TMI, but ever since my daughter (now 12) has been out of diapers, she has pooped in almost every restaurant we have gone to, as soon as the food arrives. When she was younger, this meant I had to eat many expensive meals cold after spending 15 minutes waiting for her in the bathroom. She still does it now quite often and I find it mystifying. Sometimes we advise her to go before the food arrives but she says she doesn’t need to. FYI she has a very healthy appetite, is very tall and skinny and eats a healthy varied diet. Can anyone explain this to me?